Automatic configuration systems and methods for lighting and other applications

ABSTRACT

A system and method for automatic configuration of devices that comprises a receiver for receiving information from a device that uniquely identifies the device, a controller capable of assigning an address to the device, and a communication link for transmitting said information from the receiver to the controller.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Patent Application claims the benefit of priority andincorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.60/223,491 filed Aug. 7, 2000 “Automatic Configuration Systems andMethods for Lighting and Other Applications.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to systems and methods for the programmingof devices, in particular to illumination and display devices.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many lighting systems for theatres and entertainment, retail andarchitectural venues such as casinos, theme parks, stores, malls,etcetera, require elaborate lighting instruments and, in addition,networks to control the lights. One of the designers' most onerous taskscomes after all the lights are in place: configuration. This involvesgoing to each instrument (e.g. light fixture) and determining andsetting the network address of each unit through the use of switches ordials and then determining the setup and corresponding element on alighting board or computer. Two people usually accomplish this and,depending on the distance, use walkie-talkies and enter into a lot ofback and forth discussion during the process.

[0006] This task can take many hours depending on the locations. Forexample, a new amusement park ride may use hundreds of lightingfixtures, each of which is controlled over a network, that are neitherline-of-sight to each other or to any single point. Each one must beidentified and a correspondence made between the light and its settingon the lighting control board. Mix-ups and confusion are common duringthis process.

[0007] It would be useful to have a system that allowed each light to beseparately queried, automatically determine which light it is and thenset an address and store it onboard the light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One embodiment of the invention is directed to a system forautomatic configuration of network devices. The system comprises areceiver to receive information from a network device that uniquelyidentifies the device, a controller capable of assigning an address tothe device, and a communication link to transmit said information fromthe receiver to the controller.

[0009] Another embodiment is directed to a method for the configurationof network devices. The method may comprise the acts of communicating aunique identifier from a network device to a remote receiver,communicating the unique identifier from the remote receiver to acontroller, generating a network address, and communicating the networkaddress from the controller to the network device from which the uniqueidentifier was originally communicated.

[0010] A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to amethod for the configuration of network devices. The method may compriseacts of communicating a first unique identifier from a first networkdevice to a remote receiving device, storing the first unique identifierin memory in the remote receiving device, communicating the first uniqueidentifier from the memory to a controller, generating a first networkaddress, and communicating the first network address from the controllerto the first network device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to one embodimentof the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process of assigning addressesaccording to the principles of the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates another configuration system according to theprinciples of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0014] The systems and methods disclosed herein may be used withnumerous types of lighting systems, and are not limited to use with anyparticular type of lighting system. For example, the systems and methodsdisclosed herein can be used with lighting systems of the type disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038 and PCT Pub. No. WO 99/31560, the entiredisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0015] Networked lighting devices may have their addresses set through aseries of switches such as dials, dip switches or buttons. Theseswitches are individually set to particular addresses for use innetworking, which is a cumbersome process. Disclosed herein is a novelsystem for setting addresses.

[0016] During manufacturing, each light typically is programmed with aunique serial number, such that no two devices share the serial number.This serial number is typically ignored by the user and a networkaddress of the device is specified independent of the serial number. Thenetwork address can be set through switches such as the physicalswitches described earlier or even electronically stored in volatile ornonvolatile memory.

[0017] Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 1, for auto-configurationof lights a plurality of devices 30, such as lights, are connected to afirst component 1 of the auto-configuration system. The first component1 can be a controller such as a computer or dedicated device forreceiving and transmitting information over the lighting network.

[0018] The first component 1 broadcasts a command to all devices 30 onthe network to enter a special operations mode (auto-config mode). Thedevices 30 or lights enter the auto-config mode and await additionalcommands. In the auto-config mode, each device 30 can send a hardwareserial number over a communication channel other than the lightingnetwork. The communication channel may employ, for example, IR, RF,magnetic induction, acoustic energy, etc. In one embodiment, thiscommunication channel may also be a wired channel. In one embodiment forLED-based color-changing fixtures, one or more red LED's may be usedwith standard IR protocols such as IRDA. This signal may be receivedusing a second component 2, which can receive data using the abovetechniques, which include, for example, an IR receiver sensitive tovisible light in the red spectrum.

[0019] This information may be transmitted to first component 1 usinganother communication channel, e.g., a wireless channel. When the firstcomponent 1 receives one of the hardware serial numbers, the firstcomponent 1 then issues a specific command to the network using that oneof the hardware serial numbers. A corresponding device or fixture maythen receive the specific command and set any appropriate values forthat device or fixture. Information included in the specific command mayinclude, for example, a network address for the fixture or device 30using the hardware serial number. The first component 1 may assignsequential network addresses as fixtures or devices 30 are added to orread from the lighting network. Alternatively, network addresses mayinstead be generated according to current time, geometric coordinates,or any other numbering methodology that permits a unique network addressfor each new device or fixture.

[0020] In one embodiment, more than one device may be attached to anetwork wherein at least one of the devices may be arranged as anaddress hub. For example, a lighting network may be arranged withseveral address hubs wherein the address hubs communicate to lights. Thelighting network may be set into an auto-config mode wherein the addresshubs go enter an auto configuration mode. Each of the address hubs maythen be programmed with an address as described herein. The address hubmay then address its associated lighting devices. This may be aconvenient method of addressing rows of lighting devices for example. Alighting installation may have fifty, one hundred row, strings of lightson a building, for example, wherein the individual light strings areassociated with address hubs. The fifty address hubs may be addressedwith a system according to the present invention and then each hub mayaddress its light string. In an embodiment, an address hub may beincorporated into another device (e.g., a lighting device) or it may bea dedicated hub.

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As indicated in the flow diagram,the network devices may be set into a program mode (e.g. auto-configmode) in act 202, and then the network device may communicate a uniqueidentifier (e.g. serial number) to a receiver in act 204. The receivermay in turn communicate the unique identifier to a controller in act208. In response to receiving the unique identifier, the controller, inact 210, may then communicate an address or other information to thenetwork device that originally communicated the unique identifier. Uponreceipt of the address, the network device may store the receivedaddress as its communication address in act 212, such that the devicewill respond to network information designating this address.

[0022] In one embodiment, lighting devices 30 may be arranged on anetwork. The lighting devices may be set in a mode to communicate theirunique identifiers such that all of the devices are sending theinformation at the same or nearly the same time. A receiving device 2(FIG. 1) may move from one lighting device 30 to the next, consecutivelystoring the unique identifiers in memory. After reading the uniqueidentifiers from several lighting devices and storing the same in thereceiving device, the identifiers may be communicated to a controller 1.This may be a useful technique for addressing several lighting devicesthat are arranged in a row, for example. The serial numbers for anentire row of lights may be received and stored and then communicated toa central controller once the receiving operation is complete. Thecontroller may then go through a series of commands to communicateaddresses to the individual lighting devices as described herein. Itshould be appreciated that the present invention is not limited toemploying a receiving device 2 that stores a plurality of uniqueidentifiers for various lighting devices 30 and then downloads themcollectively to the controller 1, as the receiving device 2 canalternatively store a unique identifier from one of the lighting devices30 and download it to the controller 1 prior to collecting anotheridentifier for a different lighting device 30.

[0023] The first component 1 and the second component 2 may beimplemented separately or integrated into a single enclosure, forexample, on the same CPU or on the same printed circuit board. The firstcomponent 1 and the second component 2 can be a standard computer withIRDA outputs. Many types of scanners and readers can be used as a modelfor such a device. The first component 1 and the second component 2 maycooperate without being in a continuous communicating relationship. Forexample, the first component 1 may issue an auto-config command, and thesecond component 2 may then gather data from fixtures and devices,either from a fixed location or by moving the second component 2 intophysical proximity with each device or fixture connected to the lightingnetwork. The second component 2 may then open a communication channel tothe first component 1, and transmit any data that has been collectedfrom the devices and fixtures. The hardware serial numbers can be storedin the second component 2, downloaded to the first component 1 and thenthe addresses can be set. If the first component 1 and the secondcomponent 2 are in a single enclosure, then they can be connected to thelighting network, set to provide auto-configuration, disconnected fromthe lighting network, read the hardware serial numbers, and thenfinally, re-connect to the lighting network to issue commands forsetting the network addresses.

[0024] The fixtures or devices 30 may optionally include circuitry andtransceivers to transmit hardware serial numbers and other informationto the first component 1 over a communication channel other than thoseprovided by the lighting network, using, for example, IR, RF, and soforth. The fixtures or devices 30 may optionally include circuitry andtransceivers to receive network address programming commands over acommunication channel using, for example, IR, RF, and so forth. Networkaddresses might be set, for example, using a pointing laser from a largedistance. This may be useful for lights installed at inconvenientheights and locations.

[0025] In one embodiment, the devices 30 may respond to receipt of datafrom the controller 1 by producing a particular signal. For example, ina lighting network, the lighting device may respond to the receipt of anew address by turning blue. The user that originally received theserial number from the light may than confirm the proper light receivedthe address. In a speaker network, the addressed speaker may make aparticular sound for example.

[0026] The second component 2 may be a handheld device for receiving andsending auto-configuration set up data to a plurality of fixtures and/ordevices in a lighting network.

[0027] In one embodiment, an LED-based light or similar solid-statetechnology such as Electro-luminescent (EL) or an organic LED-baseddevice (OLED) can be used to transmit data. Such a light may beautomatically configured through the transmission of a unique identitynumber or code through a means that is permanently affixed to the light.This identifier can be stored in any of numerous ways. Examples includea hardwired series of jumpers, EPROM and other memory technologies, orswitches. The second device 2, possibly handheld, can receive thesequence and include the capability of uniquely accessing that light andadjust its settings. These settings may include, but are not limitedtoo, such information as network address, properties of the light,location, purpose etc. The second device 2, the receiver, can thentransfer such information back to a controller 1, which can then set thelight addresses by sending a unique sequence to store the addressinformation in the light.

[0028] In one embodiment, upon power-up, all the fixtures may be used ina regular manner and allow a variety of stand-alone modes and networkcontrol. When sent into network mode, a particular broadcast packet ofinformation can be sent over the lighting network to trigger anautomatic configuration mode of the light. This command may cause theindividual lighting controller to strobe the LEDs in such a way toprovide a data signal and emit data in a pattern corresponding to theunique identifier.

[0029] The controller may send out a packet over the network that alllights listen and respond to. Each light, in response to this packet,may send out a repeated sequence of characters that includes the serialnumber. The repeated sequence may be accomplished by pulsing the LEDswith a unique sequence that identifies that particular unit. In oneembodiment, the device's serial number may be used.

[0030] A small handheld device may read the information from the lights,but this information could also be generated by other techniquesincluding IR, and other forms of wireless control. This signal is sentback to the computer to determine which unit is currently identified.This signal can be transmitted through a wired unit or, moreconveniently, through a one-way RF link. This unit can then be uniquelyaddressed and controlled. At this point, a sequence is sent to the unitto program a base address for traditional network control. Theidentification of the fixture and the setting of the address is done.This may all happen in less than one second, and a series of 50-100lights across a room may be fully set within five minutes.

[0031] In one embodiment, additional enhancements could allow two-wayinformation transfer between the handheld unit and the control console.The program running on the control console may read the data from thehandheld unit and controls the lights.

[0032] Inserting a new address into the order and re-addressing thesequence can also change the order in which the units are controlled forspecial effects. For example, if it were desired to send a rainbow topropagate across a room, the manner of propagation may suggest acorresponding sequence of network addresses. Matching network addressesto the direction of propagation may simplify subsequent coding of thedesired effect. The auto-configuration systems and methods disclosedherein may be used to track and control lights for such effects as acolor or series of colors moving along a room.

[0033] The methods and systems disclosed herein may be usefully employedto reconfigure an existing lighting network when, for example, fixturesare added, removed, or replaced. As the topology of the lighting networkchanges, network addresses may be conveniently changed as well.

[0034] LEDs can be modulated through a number of techniques. One suchtechnique is known as Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM). This technique canprovide, through pulses of varying width, a way to control the intensityof the LEDs as seen by the eye. Because the duty-cycle and pulse widthis very small, imperceptible by the eye, small changes in the PWM signalcan also be used to provide data communications. Other techniquesinvolve providing varying pulse amplitude techniques, and analog controlof the LEDs. There are many methods of controlling the LEDs in a systemaccording to the principles of the present invention and this inventionis not limited to any particular technique.

[0035] Through these LED modulation techniques it is then possible touse lights as illumination sources and as nodes in a lighting network.The output of the light can be picked up by a receiver to decode andinterpret the signals from the lighting devices. In one embodiment, adevice may include separate lighting and communication components. Inanother embodiment, a device may use a lighting component (e.g., an LED)for both illumination and communication.

[0036] In addition to applications within a lighting network, the abovehandheld device for programming network addresses, and methods andsystems for using same, may be usefully applied to other distributeddevices, e.g., speaker systems, telephone systems, sensor systems,microphone systems, switch systems or any other system of distributed,networked devices.

[0037] In one embodiment, a remote unit 2 may include optics 302 (FIG.3) to prevent or minimize interference from nearby network devicesduring communication or minimize the effect of stray light. An optic maybe a tube, for example, such that the light from adjacent lightingsystems do not interfere with communication from the intended light.There are many techniques to minimize stray light or other noise in asystem according to the principles of the present invention, and thisinvention is not limited to employing any particular technique. In oneembodiment, a remote unit 2 may include circuitry or a processor todetect the strength of a signal or the interference of other signals.For example, the remote unit 2 may indicate when it is reading more thanone serial number at any one time and not allow communication until theinterference is eliminated.

[0038] As used herein, the term “LED” should be understood to includelight emitting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers,semiconductor dies that produce light in response to current, organicLEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other such systems. “LED” mayrefer to a single light emitting diode having multiple semiconductordies that are individually controlled. It should also be understood thatthe term “LED” does not restrict the package type of the LED. The term“LED” includes packaged LEDs, nonpackaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chipon board LEDs and LEDs of all other configurations. The term “LED” alsoincludes LEDs packaged or associated with material (e.g., a phosphor)wherein the material may convert energy from the LED to a differentwavelength.

[0039] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with thepreferred embodiments shown and described in detail, variousmodifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of thepresent invention is to be limited only by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A system for automatic configuration of network devices, comprising:a receiver to receive information from a network device that uniquelyidentifies the device; a controller capable of assigning a base addressto the device; and a communication link between the receiver and thecontroller to transmit said information from the receiver to thecontroller.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is acomputing device.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver ishand-held.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said network device is anillumination device.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said networkdevice includes at least one LED.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein saidat least one LED can be used to generate a unique identifier thatuniquely identifies the device.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein saidcommunication link comprises a wireless communication link.
 8. A methodfor the configuration of network devices, comprising acts of:communicating a unique identifier from a network device to a remotereceiver; communicating the unique identifier from the remote receiverto a controller; generating a network address; and communicating thenetwork address from the controller to the network device from which theunique identifier was originally communicated.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising an act of: storing the network address in a memory ofthe network device such that the network device will respond to networksignals communicated to the address.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe network device is a lighting device.
 11. The method of claim 10,where in the lighting device is an LED lighting device.
 12. The methodof claim 8, wherein the communication from the network device to theremote receiver is accomplished through wireless communication.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication is accomplishedthrough visible light producing LEDs.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the LEDs produce red light.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe LEDs are used for illumination and communication.
 16. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the unique identifier is a serial number of the networkdevice.
 17. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiver includes anoptic for reducing interference.
 18. The method of claim 8, wherein thecommunication from the remote receiver to the controller is accomplishedthrough wireless communication.
 19. The method of claim 8, wherein theact of generating a network address comprises selecting a networkaddress.
 20. The method of claim 8, wherein the act of generating anetwork address further comprises incrementing the address in relationto a previously generated and communicated address.
 21. A method for theconfiguration of network devices, comprising acts of: communicating afirst unique identifier from a first network device to a remotereceiving device; storing the first unique identifier in memory in theremote receiving device; communicating the first unique identifier fromthe memory to a controller; generating a first network address; andcommunicating the first network address from the controller to the firstnetwork device.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising acts of:communicating a second unique identifier from a second network device tothe remote receiving device; storing the second unique identifier in thememory; communicating the second unique identifier from the memory tothe controller; generating a second network address; and communicatingthe second network address from the controller to the second networkaddress.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the acts of communicatingand storing the first and second unique identifiers to the remotereceiving device take place before the act of communicating the uniqueidentifiers to the controller.